Sizing machine



Jan. 7, 1969 M. WENGER 3,419,946

. SIZING MACHINE I Filed Oct. 51, 1966 Sheet or'z INVENTOIZ, mxn sA/ai/e BY MX-QMJ Jan. 7, 1969 W NG 3,419,946

SIZING MACHINE Filed Oct. 31. 1966 Sheet 2 of 2 1c, "LO 1 9 INVENTO/Z United States Patent 3,419,946 SIZING MACHINE Max Wenger, Niederuzwil, Switzerland, assignor to Maschinenfabrik Benninger A.G., Uzwil, Switzerland, a body corporation of Switzerland Filed Oct. 31, 1966, Ser. No. 590,819 Claims priority, application Switzerland, Nov. 2, 1962,

15,188/ 65 US. Cl. 2828 5 Claims Int. Cl. D03j 1/02 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE for locking the machine drive when the beam loading device is operating and for enabling both devices to be readily actuated.

Conventional sizing machines are customarily loaded with weavers beams that are to be dressed and such machines operate to generate and maintain the necessary pressure on the warp on the beam during the process of dressing. Such conventional sizing machines are equipped with means which permit these operations to 'be performed in various ways.

Some sizing machines which are known in the art use the same hydraulic actuating means are used both for loading and unloading the weavers beam and for generating and maintaining the pressure on the warp during the dressing operation.

However, such a combined actuating device has major drawbacks.

Firstly, hydraulic actuation of the warp presser is very sluggish and in the case of weavers beams which do not run round during beaming, the presser tends to hammer the warp and may damage the yarn, particularly the fibrils of endless yarns. Moreover, the unloading gear for the beam carries the weight of the weavers beam via the .presser tubes that are in contact with the body of yarn on the beam and, according to the quality of the warp, undesirable impressions may thus be formed. In the event of faulty operation, as for instance, if only one of the driving heads for rotating the beam during dressing have been withdrawn before the beam is lifted out, the forcibly raised weavers beam may be caught at one end thereby endangering the operator as well as the machine.

Moreover, the presence of the pressing tubes obstructs the lifting truck when this receives the beam carrying the body of yarn. For transportation the weavers beam must therefore first be lowered to the ground. Lifting and handling the beam when it has been deposited on the ground requires accessory equipment, such as hoisting gear and overhead conveyor means, or if it is lifted by hand considerable effort on the part of the operator is required. Additionally, undesirable recesses must be provided in the floor in front of the sizing machine, since otherwise the beam could not be deposited on the ground.

Aside from these conventional forms of sizing machines which use a combined actuating device, other machines are known in the art which use hydraulic, mechanical or pneumatic operable devices for generating of the pressure ice that must be applied to the warp, but the beam must still be manually lifted into and out of the machine. Naturally, such a manual lifting operation calls for considerable physical effort on the part of the operator and takes an undue amount of time to perform and increases the possibility of an accident occurring.

There have been proposals for sizing machines in which one separate actuating device is provided for lifting the beam into and out of the machine and another actuating device is provided for generating the necessary pressure on the warp.

The drawback with these proposed types of sizing machines is that they require a considerable amount of automation and that they have a large number of different controls, as a result of which, operating errors are often encountered. These errors often result in damage to the machine and injury to the attendant personnel. For instance, in such sizing machines faulty control may result in the weavers beam being ejected out of the holders of the lifting device by the pressing means. Damage is generally due to the beam or other parts becoming jammed when the controls are operated in excessively rapid succession.

With the foregoing in mind, it is, therefore, an object of the present invention to overcome the difficulties and drawbacks associated with known forms of sizing machines and to provide in their stead, a new and improved sizing machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sizing machine which incorporates a weavers beam loading and unloading device and which additionally incorporates a separate pressure applying device for the Warp of the weavers beam during operation of the machine, yet which does not encounter the shortcomings experienced in prior units of this general type.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sizing machine having separate actuating devices, one for beam loading and unloading and one for beam pressurizing, and to provide satisfactory means for assuring sequential operation thereof, for preventing simultaneous operation of both actuating devices, for locking the machine drive when the beam loading device is operating, and for enabling both devices to be readily actuated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved operating circuit and control system for a sizing machine which utilizes separate actuating devices.

Other objects, advantages and salient features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of the sizing machine ready for operation with a full weavers beam in position, the pressing device being removed,

FIG. 2 is an end view of the elements located on one side of the machine for lifting the weavers beam into and out of the machine,

FIG. 3 is an end view similar to that of FIG. 2, showing the switch and control elements for the lifting device,

FIG. 4 is a view of an individual element of the lifting device illustrating control and locking of the lifting device,

FIG. 5 is an end view of the lifting device when fully lowered, the weavers beam being supported by the presser device.

FIG. 6 is an end view similar to that of FIG. 5, show.- ing parts of the lifting device having fully lifted the weavers beam,

FIG. 7 is a front elevation of the sizing machine according to FIG. 1, specially showing the parts of the presser device,

FIG. 8 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6, omitting the lifting device and instead showing the presser device in its retracted inoperative position which it occupies as the weavers beam is being lifted or lowered, and

FIG. 9 is a central circuit diagram illustrating the switching and controlling actions of a sequence switch.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the lifting and lowering device, hereinafter briefly referred to as the lifting gear substantially comprises a carrier bar 3, a shaft 4 (FIG. 2) with two levers 5 and a compressed air cylinder 1 at each end of the bar. The carrier bar 3 has ways at each end thereof to prevent it from tilting. Abutments 7 which are adjustable by a handwheel 6 (FIG. 2) are located at each end of the carrier bar 3 in overlying relationship to limit the degree of upward lift thereof. The position of the abutments 7 can be read on a scale 8.

For supporting the weavers beam 9, the carrier bar 3 is provided with two guide rails 16 (FIGS. 4 to 6). Two sensing flaps 17 (FIG. 4) monitor the lifting operation.

A pedal 13 is hingeably attached to the carrier bar 3 and during operation of the machine (FIGS. 2 to 5) this serves for stopping the machine by the actuation of a switch 53 and, when the lifting device is raised (FIG. 6), it serves as a protective device.

The lifting movement proceeds under the control of a stepping device in the form of a sequence stepping switch means 2 and micro-switches 30-34 (FIGS. 3 and 4) that will be later described in greater detail.

The sequence switch 2 cannot be rotated until the prescribed operating program at each position has been completed. To this end the lifting gear and the pressing device are provided with limit switches 31,33 and 37,38. These cooperate with a solenoid coil 35 and plunger 52 which serves for locking the sequence switch.

The pressing device which is separate from the lifting gear substantially comprises a first shaft 20 and two carrier arms 21, so arranged that compressed air cylinders 23 can urge presser tubes 22 against the body of yarn 24 on the weavers beam (FIG. 8). The desired pressure is preselectable by adjustment of a reducing valve 25 and can be read on a pressure gauge 26.

When the presser is lowered, as in FIG. 8, the presser tubes 22 are out of range of the lifting gear.

The correct sequence of the working operations is governed by the sequence switch which controls the presser, the lifting gear and the machine drive, the latter being locked when the lifting gear operates and the simultaneous operation of the lifting gear and of the presser being prevented. This will be understood from the following description of a full working cycle.

The sequence switch 2 comprises eight mechanically and electromagnetically locked switching positions which in emergencies can be released by pressing a push button 19. The eight positions of the sequence switch 2 correspond to the following functions:

Position 1-machine ready for dressing Position 2lift presser and effect sizing Position 3-lower presser Position 4-machine drive off and locked,

Position 5raise lifting gear empty,

Position 6--lower lifting gear with full weavers beam, Position 7raise lifting gear with empty weavers beam, Position 8lower empty lifting gear.

The manner in which these operations are controlled will be described by reference to FIG. 9.

In position 1 of the sequence switch the contacts 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 and 50 are all held open by the switching cams O. The two-way switch 51 has closed the circuit controlled by switch switches 30 and 32 being open, switches 43 and 39 closed and locking solenoid having withdrawn its plunger 52 and thereby permitting the sequence switch to be rotated to the next position.

In position 1, relay 40 is deenergized and has released the electrical lock of the machine drive (not shown). The machine is ready for the sizing operation.

In position 2 the cams 0 hold contacts 43, 44, 46, 48, 49 and 50 open, the two-way switch 51 remaining in the circuit of switch 30. Switches 30 and 32 are open and contacts and 47 are closed.

The coil 41 of an electro-pneumatic valve (not shown) controlling the air admission pipe 27 to the cylinder 23 is thus energized and the admission pipe 27 is opened.

The presser therefore swings upwards and presses the presser tubes 22 against the beamed warp 24. When this movement has been completed, the switch 38 closes and unlocks the sequence switch 2. Now the sizing can be carried out, i.e., the machine drive is set into operation and, at the same time, from then on the switch 2 can at any moment be rotated into position 3.

In position 3 the cams 0 .hold the contacts 43, 44, 45, 47, 48, 49, open, the two-way switch 51 remaining in circuit with switch 30 (switches 30 and 32 being open) but contact 46 being closed.

The coil 41 of the above-mentioned electro-pneumatic valve (not shown) is deenergized and closes the air admission pipe '27, simultaneously exhausing the cylinder The presser therefore swings down. When this downward swing has been completed, switch 37, closes, the sequence switch 2 being unlocked in conventional manner and released for rotation into the next position.

In position 4 the cams 9 hold contacts 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 open, the to-way switch 51 remaining in its former position in circuit with switch 30 (switches 30 and 32 being open) but contacts 43 and 44 being closed.

The locking relay 40 is energized, locks the machine drive and simultaneously restores the winding gear (not shown) to the initial speed.

When the winding gear has thus been completely set back, switch 39 closes, the sequence switch 2 being unlocked in conventional manner and released for further rotation into the next position.

In position 5 the cams 0 hold contacts 43, 45, 46, 47, 49 open, change the two-way switch 51 into circuit with switch 32 and close the contacts 44, 48, 50. The locking relay 40 remains energized, and thus the machine drive continues to be locked.

The coil 42 of an electro-pneumatic fourway valve (not shown) is energised and the compressed air admission pipe 29 of the cylinder 1 is opened (pipe 28 being simultaneously exhaused).

The lifting gear moves towards the beam 9, the follower roller of switch 30 leaves its operating cam and contact 30 closes. The follower rollers of switches 32 and 33 are likewise released, contact 32 closing, whereas contact 33 opens but has no effect because contact 49 is open.

As the lifting gear moves towards the beam 9, the flaps 17 which are movably mounted on each side of the carrier bar 3 are deflected downwards. The two-way switches 34 and 34" close the circuit through switch 30 and the follower roller of switch 30 is operated (by the cam) and opens switch 30. The latter has no effect because the twoway switch 51 is in line with switch 32.

Contact 32 remains in closed position, whereas the follower roller of switch 31 is depressed by abutment 7 and contact 31 is closed.

In conventional manner the sequence switch is thus unlocked and can be further rotated after the withdrawal of the driving heads 11 (by means of handwheel 10) into the next position. I

In position 6 the cams 0 hold the contacts 43, 45, 46, 47, 48, 50 open, two-way switch 51 remaining in line with switch 32, whereas contacts 44, 49 are closed.

The locking relay 40 remains energised, or thus the machine drive is locked.

The coil 42 of the above mentioned electro-magnetic four-way valve, (not shown) is deenergised and the compressed air admission pipe 28 of the cylinder 1 is opened (line 29 being simultaneously exhausted).

As will be understood from the diagram in FIG. 9 the lifting gear cannot be lowered so long as the warp beam is still in engagement with either one or both of the driving heads 11, i.e., so long as both or only one of the contacts 34 have, not changed over to the circuit controlled by switch 30. In such a case coil 42 would not be deenergised and the electro-pneumatic fourway valve would not operate. The locking of the lifting gear is therefore fool-proof and the operator as well as the machine are protected from accidental injury or damage.

When the lifting gear has been fully lowered, the contacts 30 and 32 open, whereas contact 33 is closed.

The sequence switch 2 is thus unlocked in conventional manner and can be rotated into the next position after the full beam 9 has been removed (rolled over the service platform on a beam trolley) and a fresh empty beam has been inserted.

As will be understood from FIG. 9 the lowered lifting gear cannot be raised otherwise than by operation of the sequence switch 2, i.e., by the closure of contact .50, and the beam can therefore be readily removed, from the lifting gear.

In position 7 the cams 0 hold the contcats 43, 45, 46, 47, 49 open, reset the two-way switch 51 into circuit with switch 30, and close contacts 44, 48, 50.

The locking relay 40 continues to be energised and locks the machine drive.

The coil 42 of the electro-pneumatic fourway valve (not shown) is energised and the compressed air supply line 29 of the cylinder 1 is opened (line 28 being simultaneously exhausted).

The inserted empty beam depresses the two flaps 17 on each side of the carrier beam 3 and the two switches 34' and 34" are reset to the line controlled by switch 30.

The lifting gear advances towards the driving heads 11, the follower roller of switch 30 leaves its cam and contact 30;closes. The follower rollers of switches 32 and 33 are. likewise released and contact 32 closes, whereas contact, 33 opens.

As soon as the lifting gear has been fully raised, the contact 30 opens, whereas contact 32 remains closed as before, and contact 31 is closed.

The sequence switch 2 is thus unlocked in conventional manner and can be rotated into the next position as soon as the driving heads 11 have been advanced (for the reception of the beam).

In position 8 the cams 0 hold contacts 43, 45, 46, 47, 48, 50 open, two-way switch 51 being left in its former position in circuit with switch 30, whereas contacts 44 and 49 are closed.

The locking relay 40 continues to be energised, and thus the machine drive is locked.

The coil 42 of the electro-pneumatic fourway valve (not shown) is deenergised and the compressed air supply 28 of the cylinder 1 is opened (line 20 being simultaneously exhausted).

The lifting gear moves towards the service platform 15, whereas contact 30 closes and contact 51 opens (contact 32 remains closed for the time being).

It will be understood from FIG. 9 that the lifting gear could not now descend if the beam had not been properly received into the driving heads 11, since if the beam 9 was in neither of the driving heads or in only one thereof, the flaps 17 would still be depressed and this would prevent both or only one of the two contacts 34 from closing the circuit through switch 32 in which case coil 42 would not be deenergised and the electro-pneumatic valve would not operate. The locking of the lifting gear in position 8 is therefore fool-proof and the operator as well as the machine are protected from injury or damage.

When the lifting gear has been fully lowered, the contacts 30 and 32 open, whereas contact 33 is closed.

The sequence switch 2 is therefore unlocked in conventional manner and can be rotated into position 1. It will be understood from the diagram that the lowered lifting gear cannot be raised again unless the sequence switch 2 is operated, i.e. until contact 50 closes. The inadvertent depression of the flaps 17 during the process of beaming cannot therefore cause the lifting gear to rise.

With the foregoing description in mind, the operation of the present invention can now be summarized. At the beginning of the position 1, the freshly inserted empty beam 9 is engaged by the driving heads 11 and is driven thereby. As a result, yarn 24 is wound onto the beam 9. When such winding is completed, the stepping switch means is moved to position 2 whereat the presser raises to contact the presser tubes 22 against the yarn 24 wound on the beam 9. When pressing has been completed, the stepping switch means moves to position 3 whereat the presser lowers out of contact with the yarn 24. Thereafter, the stepping switch means moves to position 4 wherein the machine drive is stopped and hence the driving heads 11 stop the winding of the beam 9. Thereafter, the stepping switch means moves to position 5 whereat the lifting gear raises the carrier bar 3 to its raised position whereat the switch 31 contacts the abutment 7. At this position, the full beam 9 rests upon the raised lifting gear and the hand wheels 10 are operated to withdraw the driving heads 11 therefrom. Then, the stepping switch means is moved to position -6 whereat the lifting gear lowers carrying the full beam thereupon. When the lifting gear has reached its lowermost position, the full beam is removed therefrom and an empty beam is placed thereupon. The stepping switch means then moves to position 7 whereat the lifting gear again raises until the switch 31 contacts the abutment 7 and at such time, the empty beam is in a raised position in alignment with the driving heads 11. The hand wheels 10 are then operated to advance the driving heads until the same engage and hold the empty beam 9. Finally, the stepping switch means moves to position 8 whereat the lifting gear again is lowered. It will be appreciated that at this time, a new empty beam 9 has been inserted into the machine and is engaged in proper relationship with the driving heads 11. Thus, when the stepping switch means is again moved to position 1, the heads 11 will wind the beam 9 to apply the yarn 24 thereto and the foregoing sequence or cycle will be repeated.

After reading the foregoing detailed description, it will be apparent that the objects set forth at the outset of the specification have been successfully achieved by the present invention.

I claim:

1. A sizing machine comprising a first means for lifting a weavers beam of various sizes into a machine and lowering it out of the machine, a separated second means for applying pressure to the warp on the beam during operation of the machine, and stepping switch means for actuating both said first and said second means, said stepping switch means ensuring the correct sequential operations of said first and second means, said stepping switch means locking the machine drive when said first means is in operation and further preventing the simultaneous operation of said first and second means.

2. A sizing machine according to claim 1, wherein said stepping switch means is a sequence switch including electromagnetic locking means for locking said switch means in each of its several switching positions until the entire operating sequence at each position has been completed.

3. A sizing machine according to claim 2, further including a pair of beam receiving driving heads and electric contact locking means which, independently of beam size prevent said first means from being lowered until said driving heads are disposed in proper relationship to said weavers beam.

4. A sizing machine according to claim 3, wherein when said weavers beam is full, said first means cannot lower until said driving heads are disengaged therefrom and when said weavers beam is empty, said first means cannot lower until said driving heads are engaged therewith. 1

5. A sizing machine according to claim 1, further including beam receiving driving heads and selectively adjustable limit switch means coupled with said first means in such manner that the position of the lifted beam in relation to the driving heads which grip the beam in working position can be selectably preset to accommodate different forms of weavers beams.

2,450,431 10/ 1948 Lambach.

2,485,382 10/1949 Howes 2838 2,487,492 11/1949 Suggs.

3,063,123 11/1962 Noe 2838 3,165,808 1/1965 Browne et a1.

3,348,785 10/ 1967 Cocker.

10 LOUIS K. RIMRODT, Primary Examiner.

v U.S. Cl. X.R. 2832 

